Nusantara: Indonesia’s New Capital Aiming to Become a Net Zero City by 2045

  Editorial INTI     22 hari yang lalu
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Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia is entering a new chapter in its national development with the establishment of Nusantara as the new capital in 2024. Located in East Kalimantan, Nusantara is designed to be a clean, climate-resilient, and sustainable city, playing a central role in Indonesia’s long-term vision of achieving net-zero emissions. This reflects not only Indonesia’s ambition as a rapidly growing economy but also its commitment to combating global climate change.

According to the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN), Nusantara will play a crucial role in supporting the national goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045. One of the city’s ambitious targets is to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. This means that all carbon emissions generated by city activities will be offset through various mitigation efforts, such as forest management and the use of renewable energy.

This vision aligns with Indonesia’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, in line with the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC) under the Paris Agreement. With the support of green policies, Nusantara is expected to become a model city globally, both in terms of environmental governance and technological innovation.

A Forest City: The Green and Blue Concept

One of the most fascinating aspects of Nusantara is its concept of “a city within a forest and a forest within the city.” This is not just a slogan but reflects Indonesia’s commitment to balancing urban development with nature conservation. Around 65% of Nusantara’s total area, or about 200,000 hectares, will be preserved as natural forest and marine reserves. These areas will serve as the city’s lungs and ecological corridors, supporting biodiversity. These green (terrestrial) and blue (aquatic) areas will host a variety of flora and fauna, forming part of Kalimantan’s rich forest ecosystem.

These forests will play a key role in Nusantara’s effort to achieve net zero, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and stabilizing local climate conditions. Additionally, the forest city concept aligns with Indonesia’s mission to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, two significant issues that have attracted global attention in recent decades. According to Forest Watch Indonesia, Indonesia lost about 9.6 million hectares of natural forest between 2000 and 2020. The development of Nusantara offers new hope for reforestation efforts in East Kalimantan and surrounding areas.

Massive Use of Renewable Energy

In addition to being a forest city, Nusantara is designed to be energy independent. The government targets 100% renewable energy to meet the city’s energy needs by 2045. This includes utilizing solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower. Major investments in renewable energy infrastructure are expected to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on fossil fuels, which currently dominate the country’s energy sources.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), in 2022, renewable energy accounted for only 12.6% of the total energy used in Indonesia. With Nusantara as a model for sustainable development, the government hopes to increase the share of renewable energy to 23% by 2025 and 31% by 2050.

A Smart City Connected Digitally

Nusantara will also be a smart city integrated with advanced digital technologies. One of the city’s primary infrastructure components is a 5G network supporting the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize various urban functions, such as transportation, waste management, and water and electricity management. This technology will allow residents to live more efficiently and sustainably.

Supporting a Green and Inclusive Economy

In addition to focusing on environmental sustainability, Nusantara is designed to be an engine for the green economy. The construction of green infrastructure, such as energy-efficient buildings and low-emission transportation, will create numerous job opportunities in emerging sectors that support a low-carbon economy. The government is also committed to ensuring social inclusion in the development of Nusantara, ensuring that all segments of society benefit from fair and sustainable economic growth.

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